A pilot plan to address homelessness and public drunkenness may be introduced in Townsville to counter spiraling problems.

The plan includes mandatory detoxification through rehabilitation rather than punishing serial public nuisance and drunken offenders.

Police had almost 5000 interactions with homeless people over an eight month period last year, seizing over 3000 litres of liquor and issuing over 2200 public nuisance notices.

Queensland Attorney General Cameron Dick says incarceration costs Queensland in excess of $60, 000 and this money could be spent on rehabilitating people by in addressing their alcohol problem and preventing them engaging in anti-social behaviour.